Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 103 · 40 questions

Writing tip (One clause leans on the other): Find the clause that starts with because, although, if, when, since, who, which or that — the subordinate clause (When the rain stopped). On its own it is not a complete sentence. The rest is the main clause (we went out to play): it makes complete sense alone. Choose the joining word by meaning: because → a reason, although → a surprise, if → a condition, when → a time, since → from a time until now, who → a person, which → a thing, that → what someone says, thinks or knows. Sort any sentence: one clause → simple; two main clauses → compound; a main clause + a subordinate clause → complex.

1. 1.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) who lives in Goa (b) have a friend (c) I have a friend
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) he finished his homework (c) finished his homework
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “You should eat now, or your food will get cold.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) have known Tara (c) We have known Tara
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) wore a sweater
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) Riya has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) has lived in Pune
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) was sweet
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) Mum said that dinner was ready.
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) Because
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) The bus leaves at ten (b) which goes to Agra (c) leaves at ten
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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